The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mary Rathman

Midnight now is enjoying retirement

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Midnight is a 16-year-old outdoor/indoor cat that was rescued by the Carmack family when they lived in Hudson, back in 2005. She loves going outside during the day, mostly to sunbathe and work on her tan, and also to guard and protect her humans. Midnight likes to go for short walks with her owners; she doesn’t even need a leash! When she was young, Midnight used to bring presents to the family all the time, in the form of mice and lizards. She is the definition of perseverance because she will meow for food ‘until the cows come home’ when she is hungry. Midnight loves to steal Kelli Carmack’s pillow in the middle of the night, which is a battle Kelli can never win. (Kelli is the Digital Content Manager for The Laker/Lutz News.) Midnight still resides with the Carmack family but now in Grand Oaks, in Land O’ Lakes.

Sneaky, sneaky

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This little guy was spying on Cheryl Fernandez and her family, as they barbecued in their backyard, in Lutz. In addition, there was a mama and a few more babies around, too.

Health News 08/18/2021

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Transitional Care gets five stars
AdventHealth Dade City’s Transitional Care Unit (TCU) is the only short-term skilled nursing facility in East Pasco County to achieve a five-star CMS rating, the highest rating possible for overall quality from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), according to a news release.

The recognition is based on health inspections, staffing, and the quality of patient care.

The 45-bed unit opened in the summer of 2019 and is designed to offer physical, occupational, and speech therapies, seven days a week.

“When the Transitional Care Unit opened its doors, we made a strong promise to our community that we would offer convenient and unrivaled whole-person care,” said Jason Newmyer, administrator and vice president for AdventHealth Dade City, in the release.

“Achieving the highest possible score for overall quality is an indicator that our world-class team members are working tirelessly to provide superior patient outcomes,” said Newmyer.

The TCU is within the hospital and provides access to highly trained physicians and therapists, who use leading-edge technology and innovative techniques.

Transitional Care Activity Room (Courtesy of AdventHealth Dade City)
A room in AdventHealth Dade City’s Transitional Care Unit.
Transitional Care Unit Therapy Room

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vendor spots open
The annual Paulie Palooza Music Festival, Gulfside Hospice’s signature fundraiser, is looking for vendors for the scheduled Oct. 16 event.

“We are happy to be moving back to our signature event schedule, and looking forward to seeing everyone in person this October on Main Street Zephyrhills,” said Leesa Fryer, fundraising and event planning specialist for Gulfside Hospice, in a news release.

Limited spots for vendors, food trucks and sponsors are available now.

The vendor fee is $50 when registered by Sept. 15; price increases to $75 on Sept. 16.

Sponsorships also are available starting at $200, and include a vendor spot and additional benefits.

Proceeds from the event will go to Gulfside Hospice, to help provide patient care and bereavement services to more than 650 patients and families every day.

For information, visit PauliePalooza.org, or contact Fryer at 727-845-5707 or ">.

Mental health support line
Tampa Bay Thrives has launched a free, confidential behavioral health support line in Hillsborough County.

The “Let’s Talk” call-in service operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and connects callers with counselors, mental health services, and offers referrals to local providers.

Tampa Bay Thrives is an organization that brings together a coalition of Tampa Bay area hospitals, law enforcement agencies, local governments and community leaders.

The new service was crafted “to complement existing resources and build upon the great work already happening in our community,” said Carrie Zeisse, president and CEO of Tampa Bay Thrives.

“The pandemic has exacerbated the need to address mental health in the Tampa Bay region, and this project will help connect individuals who require additional support,” said Zeisse.

The service is available for Hillsborough County residents and is set to expand across the region in coming months.

To access Let’s Talk, call 1-833-342-5111, or visit LetsTalkTampaBay.org.

Chalk Talk 08/18/2021

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(Courtesy of Pasco County Sheriff’s Office)

Safety is a priority for these officers
The Pasco Sheriff’s Office Traffic Control Officers (TCO) completed their annual certification training prior to the start of the new school year. The TCOs assist school crossing guards by maintaining traffic flow for pedestrians and cyclists to cross the street. This helps to ensure the safety of students and their families as they get to and from school. Training took place at Safety Town in Shady Hills.

Adopt a Classroom
Pepin Academies Foundation is hosting its second annual Adopt a Classroom campaign to help equip teachers and students with needed school supplies.

Individuals and businesses can participate by sponsoring or adopting a classroom, with the option to donate to one Pepin Academies campus or support all three of its Tampa Bay-area campuses.

Teachers will have the opportunity to identify their own classroom needs, which is an important step in granting schools the flexibility to adapt teaching practices to suit the individual needs of the students.

Adopt a Classroom donations can be made online at tinyurl.com/y34hzd72.

Vocational center
Hope Services will host a grand opening ribbon-cutting of a Vocational Training Center on Aug. 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Wesley Chapel Recreation Center Complex, 7727 Boyette Road in Wesley Chapel.

There will be inflatables, food trucks, games, music, sports clinics, refreshments and more. The first 750 people will receive a free goodie bag.

For information, email .

Scholarships awarded
Negative Population Growth (NPG) leaders have announced that 16 students from across the United States will receive checks ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, to put toward tuition, as winners of NPG’s annual Essay Scholarship Contest.

High school students and currently enrolled college undergraduates competed by writing an original 450-word to 600-word essay addressing the topic of “Write a letter to President Biden that highlights why overpopulation must be part of his administration’s discussions concerning our environment, including efforts to curb climate change.”

This year’s $25,000 in prizes was a portion of the scholarship money NPG has awarded in recent years as part of its Youth Outreach program.

The multi-faceted outreach program is designed to get “young people focused on the disastrous future that awaits their generation if our nation’s leaders fail to soon recognize and act on putting forth workable, responsible, common-sense solutions to today’s ever-growing population crisis,” according to an NPG news release.

For more information about the essay contest and Negative Population Growth, visit NPG.org, follow NPG on Facebook @NegativePopulationGrowth, or on Twitter @npg_org.

Student achievements
-Kaylyn Burr, of Land O’ Lakes, was named to the Honor List at Minnesota State University-Mankato.
-Benjamin Tomas, of Lutz, was recognized to the Dean’s List at Peru State College in Nebraska.

(Courtesy of Patricia Serio)

An assembly line of help
Members of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club recently volunteered at Connerton Elementary School in Land O’Lakes, to help it get ready for the new school year. The women quickly worked to assemble and collate 750 information packets for the students and parents. The woman’s club has long supported local schools through hands-on volunteering and annual scholarships. From left: Darlene Choe, Nancy Taylor, Jean Palmieri, Tanya Highnote and Joan Moore. For information, visit GFWCLutzLandOLakesWomansClub.org, or its Facebook page.

Calendar contest showcases Pasco County

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It’s time once again to get out your cameras and capture Pasco County’s beauty, as Gulfside Healthcare Services hosts its annual contest, to find photos to feature in its 2022 printed calendar.

‘Taking It In’ by Doreen Damm, June 2021 winner

Once printed, the calendars will be sold at all Gulfside Hospice thrift shops, to help raise money for hospice care and other patient programs.

Past calendars have featured iconic sights of the county, wildlife, sunsets, and more.

‘Epperson Ranch Lagoon’ by Brenda Sexton, August 2021 winner

Each photographer can submit up to five photos, but a maximum of two winning entries per person will be used in the final calendar.

All photos must be taken in Pasco County and be sizeable for horizontal printing at 12-inches wide by 9-inches high.

Entries will be reviewed by a committee of Gulfside staff and volunteers, and winners will be notified by Oct. 1.

Each winner will receive five printed calendars, and a coupon redeemable at any Gulfside Hospice thrift shop.

To view the full list of guidelines and submit photos, visit www.Gulfside.org/calendar-contest. Entry deadline is at 5 p.m., on Sept. 15.

For more information, contact Tanika Tucker, community outreach and design assistant, at 727-845-5707, or email .

Published August 11, 2021

May always looks her best

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May was born on Feb. 22, 2019, and is part poodle and part Bichon. She likes to go on walks and lay by the pool, and her favorite toy is Mr. Pickle. May loves when her dad, Reggie, gets home from work, so she can greet him with a 100-mph wagging tail and kiss him for at least five minutes. May enjoys celebrating the Fourth of July, and is a huge Lightning fan. She says, ‘Way to go Bolts!’ May lives in Lake Bernadette, in Zephyrhills, with her parents, Reggie and Leighanne Rose.

Sitting pretty

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Darlene Raudabaugh snapped this silhouetted hummingbird through her front door window, in Carpenter’s Run in Lutz.

Health News 08/11/2021

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(Courtesy of AdventHealth West Florida Division)

Buccaneer visit helps to lift spirits
Tampa Bay Buccaneer Joe Jones surprised several AdventHealth Tampa patients and team members during a recent virtual visit. Jones is one of the newest linebackers for the Super Bowl Championship team and was eager to connect with the community. Ahead of training camp, Jones offered well wishes, and gave out some high-fives and a few thumbs-up. AdventHealth is the exclusive hospital of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

 

 

Mental health support line
Tampa Bay Thrives has launched a free, confidential behavioral health support line in Hillsborough County.

The “Let’s Talk” call-in service operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and connects callers with counselors, mental health services, and offers referrals to local providers.

Tampa Bay Thrives is an organization that brings together a coalition of Tampa Bay area hospitals, law enforcement agencies, local governments and community leaders.

The new service was crafted “to complement existing resources and build upon the great work already happening in our community,” said Carrie Zeisse, president and CEO of Tampa Bay Thrives.

“The pandemic has exacerbated the need to address mental health in the Tampa Bay region, and this project will help connect individuals who require additional support,” said Zeisse.

The service is available for Hillsborough County residents and is set to expand across the region in coming months.

To access Let’s Talk, call 1-833-342-5111, or visit LetsTalkTampaBay.org.

Donations needed
The Tampa Bay Network to End Hunger is seeking donations and local volunteers for its Meals on Wheels for Kids program.

The program’s mission is to provide nutritious home-delivered, shelf-stable meal ingredients, produce and prepared meals to transportation-disadvantaged and/or homebound children and their families who lack adequate access to food distribution locations throughout the community.

Meals on Wheels for Kids provides a weekly delivery of meals and shelf-stable groceries, as resources allow.

All donations go to providing these deliveries to children enrolled in the program.

Donations will be accepted via the program’s website, NetworkToEndHunger.org/mow4k/, or by calling 813-344-5837. If no one answers, please leave a message and someone will return your call within 24 hours.

Homebound vaccines
The Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA) has launched “We Will Meet You at Home,” to ensure that every older adult who wants a vaccine will receive one, according to a news release.

The initiative builds upon other programs throughout the state to provide homebound seniors access to COVID-19 vaccinations.

While many of Florida’s older residents have received a COVID-19 vaccination, not every senior is able to leave their home.

In these cases, the Florida DOEA and the state’s 11 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) are offering seniors access to transportation to go and receive a vaccine. Elders also have the option of having a health care worker bring the vaccine to their front door.

DOEA’s statewide initiative is distributing over 175,000 informational flyers to older homebound adults requesting more information about vaccines or vaccine access.

The AAAs made tens of thousands of outbound wellness calls over a two-month period to identify people requesting more resources.

The DOEA’s Area Agencies on Aging connect seniors with community providers to get a ride to a doctor’s office, a pharmacy, a grocery store, or another vaccination site. The local AAAs also may assist in arranging a health care professional to come to the individual’s house to receive a vaccination.

If you or someone you know would like assistance with transportation in getting to a COVID-19 vaccination appointment or would like a health provider to bring a shot to your front door, call 800-963-5337, or email .

Chalk Talk 08/11/2021

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(Courtesy of Pasco County Sheriff’s Office)

Slow down, stay alert
With schools back in session, the Pasco Sheriff’s Office (PSO) reminds drivers to be on the lookout for students traveling to and from school, whether it be on foot, bike, scooter or by bus. Take a look at the graphic for a refresh on when to stop for school buses. Slow down and stay alert while driving. The PSO also is looking for school crossing guards. Check out JoinPSO.com to apply and for additional information.

 

 

Saint Leo puts out welcome mat
Saint Leo University rolled out the welcome mat for nearly 1,000 guests — new and prospective students and their families — at its admissions event, “Super Saturday.”

Each of Saint Leo’s colleges provided a taste of what is to come for students who are enrolling in the more than 60 degree programs the university offers.

Super Saturday gave students a chance to meet faculty and engage in activities designed to introduce them to the degree programs, future classes and real-world learning experiences.

The event also provided opportunities for parents and family members to meet with university leaders during a Q&A session.

Students also were able to get a jumpstart on the fall by registering for classes, housing and parking, attending financial aid sessions, and more.

Saint Leo will welcome new students on Aug. 28, and classes will begin on Aug. 31.

For more information about attending the school, contact the Office of Admissions at 352-588-8283, or email .

Back-to-School Bash
The First United Methodist Church of Lutz, 960 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road, will host a Back-to-School Bash on Aug. 13 starting at 5 p.m., rain or shine.

The event will include food trucks, bounce houses, make-and-take crafts, an indoor movie, and more. The Pixar movie, “Monsters University,” will begin at 7:30 p.m. Guests should bring a lawn chair or blanket.

Popcorn and movie snacks will be available for purchase, as a fundraiser for the church’s youth mission trip.

Those attending also are asked to bring a nonperishable food item for the Christian Social Services Food Pantry.

RSVP by Aug. 6. Each preregistered child will receive a gift bag.

Sign up at tinyurl.com/59c6rnue.

Leadership forum
Saint Leo University will host the FBI National Academy’s Mass Casualty Response Leadership Forum Series on Aug. 16 and Aug. 17 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the school’s Pasco County campus.

The forum is designed to provide those in attendance with the knowledge, skills and resources needed to improve initial response, emergency operations center procedures, and communications management during and after a crisis.

Key topics include:

  • Lessons Learned (a review of past incidents)
  • The dynamics of an active assailant situation
  • Multi-agency Response
  • Communications during and after an incident

For information, contact Laura Masterton at or 540-810-2725.

For cost and registration, visit FBINAA.formstack.com/forms/mcrlf_fl.

Student resources
The Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative offers educational resources to support student successes on the library’s website, HCPLC.org.

A few of the resources include:

  • HAAL Pass (Hillsborough All Access Libraries) — All students enrolled in a Hillsborough County public school, charter school or virtual school have access to public library resources, even if they don’t have a public library card. Students can use their seven-digit student ID number to borrow up to three items from any branch, download eBooks and audiobooks, and refer to study aids and reference resources. Visit HCPLC.org/HAALPass.
  • Tutor.com — Get help with schoolwork, prepare for a test, send in a paper review, and connect with a live tutor. One-to-one help also is available for Spanish-speaking students. Visit “Learning & Research” on HCPLC.org.
  • Ask a Librarian — Chat with a local librarian about homework or educational needs, or ask a question via chat or email. Visit the “Get Help – Contact Us” link at HCPLC.org, or call 813-273-3652.
  • Online classes and events — Free, real-time programs continue virtually, including story time for little ones, youth book clubs, or technology tutorials. Find the listings under the “Online Events & Classes” tab at HCPLC.org.

For more information, visit HCPLC.org/BackToSchool.